My Q&A's started as an idea to interview some of the memorable people I've met in fly fishing, both online as well as offline. Rather than a true interview I decided to keep it simple by asking a few Q&A's.
Well, lets start the Q&A!
1) Q: How did you get into bamboo rod making?
"I started in the early 1990's on my own. I didn't have teachers, apart from Garrison's book as a guide, it was a great adventure in those years. Today with the help of the internet everything is accessible. My stubbornness helped me keep going despite being on the verge of quitting several times.
Finding the bamboo, the materials and equipment for construction, the language problem (my English is not good), the study dedicated to design and initially understanding Garrison's calculation system, from which I later departed. Like many, I have lost nights and weekends. It's my great passion, personal satisfaction.Luckily for me I was able to acquire rods from various catalogs of Keane, Codella, Corsetti and many others, including English ones. I was therefore able to admire and study closely many rods of great rod makers, who helped me to understand the quality and what was "inside" each of them."
2) Q: How does Italian style bamboo rods (if there is such a thing) differ from American style (being the largest market for bamboo fly rods)?
"In my opinion there is no Italian style for the construction of bamboo rods, but there are some builders who have also followed in the construction of their rods the philosophy of the TLT casting technique founded by Roberto Pragliola. This technique involves high line speed, the use of short (max 7'6") and very fast rods with light lines (2 & 3 weight).
To achieve this with bamboo rods dedicated to the TLT, it is inevitably necessary to oversize the rod in many points, it happened to me at times to try rods that reported the wording for line 3, but which in reality should be calibrated for a line 6.Personally I don't use it, because I don't like rods that are too "hard" and fast, which require more physical effort and movement to keep the line in tension, when in reality with bamboo we want to achieve the exact opposite, that is the exaltation of the entire taper of the rod in all its length, a quality that allows us to appreciate the natural DNA of bamboo. It is the taper that must work with the minimum effort on the part of the caster.
If I may say I don't think there is one American Style, in the sense that we have different styles also in the United States. Look at the eastern makers from the Catskill school and those of the great builders of the West, there are many differences between them."
3) Q: Do you have a rod builder (present or past) who inspires you?"Yes, of course I was also inspired by several builders. For the aesthetic part of the rods I have always been fascinated by the Catskill school such as Leonard, Payne or more currently Marc Aroner and Bob Taylor.
For the design part my view is wider, to stay in the Catskill school I have always liked the ultralight rods which are perhaps the ones that best represent this school of thought. The tapers of F.E. Thomas and some of Payne are fantastic. I also love Dickerson's more fast and powerful tapers, I also like Paul Young and Winston tapers on longer rods."
4) Q: What makes your rods stand out (what makes a Scapin rod a Scapin rod)?
"I believe over the years that I have acquired my own style, both from an aesthetic point of view but above all from a design point of view. From the beginning I have always tried to create something of my own and the experience gained over the years has given me this possibility. It is not easy, but this has always been one of the cornerstones of my career.
My blonde or flamed rods can have different types of finish. I never liked the idea of making rods that are all the same aesthetically, I like to play with colors and combinations but always with a good taste. I think the reel seat and the varnish are also elements that distinguish my rods, and of course the tapers, which I really care about, also here I wanted to look for the ideal rod for every length and application.I like to work with tapers with medium-fast action, but with thin and sensitive tips allowing very precise presentation. The balance of the rod is moved towards the butt where there is a considerable reserve of energy. I also build saltwater rods in the unusual length of 7'6 ", in my opinion giving the rod the ease of use and the power with minimum effort. Truly amazing instruments for saltwater fly fishing."
5) Q: To how many countries have you shipped your rods to? What's the most unexpected destination?
"Although I have been making bamboo rods for many years, it is only recently I do it full time commercially. I know that I am very appreciated by those who know my work but perhaps not yet well known in certain circles. Beyond the Italian market, I am fortunate to have customers in various countries of Europe and the United States. I must tell you that I am very happy with my American customers who have been enthusiastic about the quality of my rods.The most unusual destination is Hong Kong. I'd like to reach Japanese customers who I know are very passionate and careful on the subject."
6) Q: What kind of fishing or destination are in your top three bucket list?
And in a couple of hours by car I am in Austria and Slovenia, all rivers that I frequent since I was a boy and that I know very well. I have been passionate about fly fishing in saltwater too and to be honest I hope to travel to Cuba, the Gardens of the Queen in 2021 but it will all depend on the course of the pandemic.
Take care and try my rods."
Thank you Edoardo!
3) Q&A with Edoardo Scapin
4) Q&A with Hoagy Carmichael
5) Q&A with Jorge Trucco
6) Q&A with Per Brandin
7) Q&A with Jack Dennis
8) Q&A with Charles Jardine
9) Q&A with Christopher Rownes
10) Q&A with Leon Hanson
11) Q&A with Joe Messinger Jr.
12) Q&A with Mike Valla
13) Q&A with Larry Kenney
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